#193 Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnold's first autobiography)

**David Senra** (0:00)
I want to tell you about a one-time only limited event that I don't think you're going to want to miss. I am doing a live show with Patrick O'Shaughnessy from the Invest Like the Best podcast in New York City on October 19th. Patrick has interviewed over 300 of the world's best investors and founders for his podcast. I've read over 300 biographies of history's greatest entrepreneurs for my podcast. We'll be talking about what we learned from seven years of podcasting, sharing our favorite ideas and stories and doing a live Q&A. There will also be special event-only swag. If you live in New York City, I think it's a no-brainer. But if not, I think it's a great excuse to fly in. I've already heard from a bunch of people that bought tickets, they're flying in from other cities. Some people are flying in from other countries. That's setting the bar really high, so I will have at least four shots of espresso or four energy drinks before or during the show so we can make it a night that you'll never forget. If you're interested in attending this unique live event, I will leave a link down below. I highly recommend you get your tickets today and I hope I get to see you in New York on October 19th. It was the summer I turned 15, a magical season for me because that year I discovered exactly what I wanted to do with my life.
It was more the young boy's mere pipe dream of a distant hazy future, confused fantasies of being a fireman, detective, sailor, test pilot, or spy.
I knew I was going to be a bodybuilder.
It wasn't simply that either.
I would be the best bodybuilder in the world, the greatest.
I'm not exactly sure why I chose bodybuilding, except that I loved it.
I loved it from the first moment my fingers closed around a barbell, and I felt the challenge and exhilaration of hoisting the heavy steel plates above my head.
I had always been involved in sports through my father, a tall, sturdy man who was a champion at ice curling. We were a physical family, oriented towards training, good eating, and keeping the body fit and healthy.
With my father's encouragement, I first got into organized competitive sports when I was 10 However, by the time I was 13, team sports no longer satisfied me. I was already off on an individual trip.
I disliked it when we won a game and I didn't get personal recognition.
The only time I really felt rewarded was when I was singled out as being best.
I decided to try some individual sports.
I still remember my first visit to the bodybuilding gym.
There it was before me. My life. The answer I had been seeking. It clicked.
The other bodybuilders noticed immediately how hard I was working out. They encouraged me to get into bodybuilding.
Because of my build, I'd always had it easier at sports than most boys my age. But I had it tougher than a lot of my companions because I wanted more. I demanded more of myself.
Once I started, it didn't take long. I was literally addicted.
I loved the feel of the cold iron and steel warming to my touch and the sounds and smells of the gym.
I still love it.
I remember that first real workout I had as vividly as if it were last night.
I rode my bike to the gym, which was eight miles from the village where I lived. I used barbells, dumbbells, machines. The guys warned me that I'd get sore, but it didn't seem to be having any effect. I thought, I must be beyond that. Then after the workout, I started riding home, and I fell off my bike.
I was so weak, I couldn't make my hands hold on. I had no feeling in my legs. They were noodles. I was numb. My whole body buzzing.
I pushed the bike for a while, leaning on it. Half a mile farther, I tried to ride it again, fell off again, and then just pushed it the rest of the way home. This was my first experience with weight training, and I was crazy for it.
The next morning, I couldn't even lift my arm to comb my hair. Each time I tried, pain shot through every muscle in my shoulder and arm.
I couldn't hold the comb. I tried to drink coffee, and I spilled it all over the table. I was helpless.
What's wrong, Arnold? My mother asked.
I'm just sore, I told her. My muscles are stiff.
But my mother kept on. Why, Arnold? Why do you want to do this to yourself?